S-1857-116
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 222.
Sponsored by Lisa Murkowski (R-AK)
What it does
This bill would update the rules that federal agencies must follow to manage energy and water use in federal buildings. It would also direct the Department of Energy (DOE) to create and run a formal Federal Energy Management Program to oversee and coordinate these efforts across the federal government.
Who benefits
Federal taxpayers who would see reduced government spending on energy and water utilities over time. Energy efficiency technology and services companies that would gain federal contracts to upgrade federal buildings. Federal employees who work in buildings that receive upgrades. Local utilities and water systems that could see reduced demand from large federal facilities.
Who is hurt
Fossil fuel and conventional energy suppliers who currently sell energy to federal facilities and could see reduced demand. Federal agencies that would face new compliance requirements and administrative burdens. Taxpayers who fund any upfront capital costs required to upgrade federal buildings to meet new performance standards.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue that the federal government is one of the largest energy and water consumers in the United States, and that updating performance standards for federal buildings would reduce long-term operating costs for taxpayers. They contend that a centralized Federal Energy Management Program would eliminate duplicative efforts across agencies, create consistent accountability, and ensure that efficiency gains are tracked and verified. Supporters also argue that modernizing federal buildings would stimulate demand for American energy efficiency products and services, supporting jobs in that sector.
Opponents argue
Opponents argue that imposing new energy and water performance mandates on federal agencies would create significant administrative burdens and upfront costs that may outweigh long-term savings, particularly for agencies with older or specialized facilities that are difficult or expensive to upgrade. They contend that a new DOE-run Federal Energy Management Program adds another layer of bureaucracy and could duplicate oversight functions already performed by individual agencies. Opponents may also argue that compliance timelines and standards could be unrealistic, diverting agency resources away from core missions.